Dr. George E. Spear Jr., 93, passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018. He was born in St. Louis, MO to George E. Spear Sr. and Florence (Maack) Spear January 3, 1925. The family moved to Belton, MO in the early 1930's and owned the Belton Star Herald until 1963. During his career at the newspaper, George received many awards for his writing. As a community leader, he also served on the School Board and the Richards-Gebauer AFB Community Council.
Over the years, George lived a fulfilling and successful life with impeccable integrity, impressive intellect and love for family and friends. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and received an Honorable Discharge in 1946. George graduated Baker University with a Bachelor of Arts degree (1948), The University of Missouri-Kansas City with an MA in Sociology (1965) and the University of Michigan with a PhD in Education (1972). Throughout the course of his career, he was professor of Education and Associate Dean of UMKC's School of Education. He received the honor of Professor Emeritus at UMKC in 1987. After retirement, he taught for Kansas State University as an adjunct faculty member at The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 2016, he was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame. He was extremely dedicated to his students and their success.
George loved, guided and received so much pleasure from his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harry B. Spear. He is survived by his wife Barbara F. Spear and his children, Michael B. Spear (Minneapolis, MN), Brett M. Spear (Olathe, KS) and Leslie Brock (Independence, MO); step-children, Barbara Lynd (Chandler, AZ), Brent Gilmore (Blue Springs, MO), Mark L. Gilmore (Lakewood, CO) and Susan K. Wise (Dallas, TX). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in April 2019, followed by Inurnment with Military Honors in The Belton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the UMKC Foundation or the Missouri Council for the Blind.
Arr. by McGilley & George Funeral Home, Grandview, MO. 816-966-0250 Condolences for the family may be left www.mcgilleygrandview.com
